Saturday's Verse of the Day Devotional

Good morning! Being in ministry, I was warned in training to be careful about showing affection to people. What I mean is, be careful hugging or touching people without permission or even patting people on the shoulder or back. I understand the premise of this, but we also have to be careful we do not come across unloving.

In a sue-happy world where everything can be misinterpreted as inappropriate, it can be a fearful thing to love people. What I see though, is the world seems more willing to be loving than the church. This should not be so. Use wisdom, yes, but being so afraid to love that we never hug a hurting person or pat someone on the back who has done something good is allowing fear to rule our heart and not love.

Jesus thought love was worth the risk. He was accused of keeping bad company and being inappropriate by letting prostitutes pour out oil and tears on Him in worship. He defended them and didn't worry about what was being said by the religious leaders of the day. People came to Him afraid and He comforted them with love and they left knowing they were loved, not judged.

Let the love you have break all fear from loving Jesus and loving others. Come to Him when you sin and let His love wash you clean. Love others when they are hurting and surround them with the comfort of the Father without fear of what others think. Let love rule your heart and you will always make a great day!